Did you purchase a new home last year? Don’t forget to file for Homestead Exemption! A Homestead Exemption is a propety tax reduction available to those who own and occupy a property as their primary residence.
To apply for a homestead exemption, the home must be your legal residence as of January 1st 2021.
Before you file you must:
01. Have a copy of your recorded deed – this will be sent to you in the mail or via email from the closing attorney. You do not need the original deed, just a copy is fine. If you do not have a copy, reach out to the attorney that you closed with and they will provide.
02. Have the property address listed on your state ID – Depending on how many times you’ve replaced your license in that last fe years, you may be able to do this online. If this is not allowed, plan a trip to the DDS.
03. Have all vehicles registered at address – This, along with your ID listing the same address, will help prove this home is your primary residence. All vehicles registered to you must be registered at the same address.
A homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of your home. For example, if your home is appraised at $200,000, then the assessed value is 50 percent of that amount, or $100,000. With a $25,000 homestead exemption, you only pay taxes on $75,000. [Source: decaturga.com]
Couple Quick Notes…
01. Deadline date is April 1st, 2021 – Applications are due by April 01 for the current tax year.
02. Your exemption will be automatically renewed each following year as long as you continue to occupy the home under the same ownership.
03. You cannot have the homestead exemption on more than one property.
04. Electronically Recorded Deeds: Some counties in Georgia now accept deed recordings electronically. If your deed is recorded electronically, you will receive a copy of the recorded deed via email instead of the original deed.
County Links:
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